Can Devin Booker lead a revamped Suns roster back to the playoffs? (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Get Caught Up
2024-25 Record: 36-46 (11th in West, missed playoffs)
A promising start quickly unraveled into disappointment for Phoenix under Mike Budenholzer. After an 8-1 start that had the Suns tied for first place in the West, times became tumultuous as defensive issues lingered.
Rarely did the stars align. Devin Booker was a crucial constant, averaging 25.6 points and 7.1 assists across 75 games played, but only 23 times in 2024-25 did he appear in the starting five alongside Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
The Suns dropped nine of their final 10 contests, and in the ultra-competitive West, that didn’t do them any favors. They remained in 11th-place limbo from Feb. 10 onward, ultimately falling short of the Play-In Tournament. Now the franchise is on to a fourth coach in as many seasons and has entered rebuilding mode with key cogs out of the picture.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Devin Booker (extension), Collin Gillespie
- Additions: Dillon Brooks (trade), Jared Butler (free agent), Jordan Goodwin (waivers), Jalen Green (trade), Nigel Hayes-Davis (free agent), Mark Williams (trade)
- Draft: Khaman Maluach (10th pick, acquired via trade), Rasheer Fleming (31st pick, acquired via trade), Koby Brea (41st pick, acquired via trade)
- Departures: Bradley Beal (waived), Kevin Durant (trade), Tyus Jones (free agent), Damion Lee (overseas), Cody Martin (waived), Vasilije Micić (trade), Mason Plumlee (free agent), TyTy Washington Jr. (free agent)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Bol Bol, Monté Morris
A major roster overhaul was set in motion by Budenholzer’s departure. Durant and Beal’s exits followed via trade and buyout, respectively, to underline an exodus of eight players. Phoenix’s move to trade the 15-time All-Star Durant brought in former Houston starters Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, in addition to the 10th overall pick, which would soon become Duke product Khaman Maluach.
Mark Williams should slot into the starting center role, while depth pieces like Jared Butler and CJ Huntley round out a new-look Suns squad. Amid all these variables, Booker signed a two-year contract extension, which keeps the face of the franchise front and center for a new era. The four-time All-Star remains the key piece that will dictate how far this team can go in the deep West.
Khaman Maluach walked 45 minutes each way to the nearest basketball court growing up 😤🏀
Get to know the newest Suns big man ahead of #NBA2KSummerLeague in Las Vegas, tipping off on Thursday, 7/10 on ESPN Networks & NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/4fa1cIAhpG
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2025
X-factor
Jalen Green. He was already a budding star with the Rockets, but entering his fifth NBA season, he could benefit greatly from a fresh opportunity under former Cavaliers offensive architect Jordan Ott. The 6-foot-4 guard is ferocious in attacking the rim, yet dynamic in his shot creation, and looking like more of a playmaker as of late.
Reliability makes him a valuable asset on the hardwood. The former No. 2 overall pick started all 82 games in each of the last two seasons, and his field goal percentage was exactly the same for both – 42.3%. He’s grown as a defender, but is more so an offensive force, and one who the Suns believe can thrive in the desert.
> Watch Jalen Green on NBA League Pass
One key question
How will new bench boss Jordan Ott tighten up the defense? Phoenix posted a 117.7 defensive rating last season, qualifying as the fourth-worst in the NBA. It’s 7.2 steals and 17.1 fast break points allowed per game both ranked in the bottom five. Often, the squad struggled to compete with opponents who wound up reaching the postseason.
Ott’s focus as an assistant under Kenny Atkinson was on the offensive side of the ball. He devised a balanced strategy that yielded the league’s most productive offense and powered the Cavaliers to the No. 1 seed in the East. The Suns’ staff around him will analyze all aspects of the game, but it’s his philosophy that can put defensive struggles in the rearview mirror.
Fantasy Outlook from RotoWire
The team at RotoWire broke down the top fantasy options for each team in the West. Here’s how they broke down some of the best options from the Suns:
“Devin Booker is the unquestioned leader of the squad, but Houston’s Jalen Green has now joined him, providing a sizable one-two punch in the backcourt. Durant’s shoes will be difficult to fill, and while key additions like Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams will make a dent, the backcourt will be the offensive engine for the Suns. The talent on the Suns’ bench is probably the most intriguing list of backups in the division, and we could see some surprises from youngsters like rookie Rasheer Fleming and two-way player CJ Huntley.”
Key dates
- Preseason Opener: Oct. 3 vs. Lakers (10 ET, League Pass)
- NBA Global Games (China): Oct. 10 vs. Nets (8 AM ET, League Pass), Oct. 12 vs. Nets (7 AM ET, League Pass)
- Regular Season/Home Opener: Oct. 22 vs. Kings (10 ET, League Pass)
- Emirates NBA Cup West Group A Play: Oct. 31 vs. Jazz (10 ET, League Pass), Nov. 21 vs. Timberwolves (9 ET, League Pass), Nov. 26 at Kings (10 ET, League Pass). Nov. 28 at Thunder (9:30 ET, League Pass)
What they’re saying
Doug Haller, The Athletic: “Phoenix’s intent was to get bigger, younger and more athletic. But the Suns also wanted to get tougher, especially on defense. Those who have worked with [Dillon] Brooks insist few are better. This may take time. Not for Brooks, but for Phoenix fans. Throughout their history, the Suns have had elite scorers, gifted passers and decent defenders. They have not had many irritators, guys who lived to get inside an opponent’s head.” (Read More)
